A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Desmarets, Henri

by J. A. Fuller-Maitland

DESMARETS, Henri, born in Paris 1662, and brought up at the court of Louis XIV. His first opera, 'Didon,' in five acts, was performed June 5, 1693. It was followed by 'Circé' (1694), 'Théagène et Chariclée' and 'Les Amours de Momus' (1695), 'Vénus et Adonis' (1697), 'Les Fêtes Galantes' (1698). About this time he got into trouble in consequence of a secret marriage with the daughter of a dignitary at Senlis, and had to escape to Spain, where he became, in 1700, maître de musique to Philip V. In 1704 his 'Iphigénie,' written in collaboration with Campra, was given in Paris, but he does not appear to have returned from Spain until 1714, when he took up his residence at Lunéville, under the patronage of the Duke of Lorraine, with whose help he obtained, in 1722, the ratification of his marriage. In that year his 'Renaud, ou la Suite d'Armide' was performed in Paris, and in 1741 the composer died, in prosperous circumstances, at Luneville.

[ M. ]